Energy Trader

Job Description

Manages short-term power and core gas portfolios for PSE including real-time, day-ahead, and balance-of-month positions, and at the direction of senior staff, executes monthly positions out through the tenure of PSE’s portfolio hedging programs.  Makes independent economic decisions, executes wholesale commodity natural gas and power purchases and sales transactions, and acquires or releases transmission and/or gas transportation to balance PSE’s energy portfolios. Optimizes a diverse set of customer assets which include: commercial agreements, natural gas storage, natural gas transport, and natural gas fired generation.  Assists in the development and execution of power and core gas portfolio hedging strategies, and manages wholesale commodity portfolios within the context of market fundamentals, supply dynamics, regional events, and changing retail loads.

Upholds the safety compliance standards inherent in PSE’s operating and/or field procedures related to work responsibilities. Promotes and supports a culture of total safety.

Demonstrates commitment to conduct business honestly, ethically and consistent with our core values and Code of Conduct.  Ensures duties are performed in accordance with all regulatory compliance obligations.

Job Responsibilities

• Acquires sufficient and cost-effective supplies of wholesale energy commodities to reliably serve load and contractual commitments meeting all compliance and reliability requirements inherent to a FERC jurisdictional gas and electric utility.
• Negotiates and executes approved transactions necessary to efficiently optimize PSE’s short term deterministic power and gas portfolios.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable FERC orders, NERC, WECC, and other applicable reliability standards.
• Analyzes and assesses regional power, and regional & national natural gas markets in order to actively contribute to weekly position meetings.
• Coordinates energy delivery and supply efforts with Energy Supply, Risk Management, Load Office, and Gas Control.
• Reviews and prices structured proposals offered by counter-parties.
• Analyzes PSE’s commodity positions and makes recommendations on optimizing the value of PSE’s assets.
• Collaborates with long-term resource and planning groups inside PSE to review asset acquisitions.
• Works with credit and contracts departments to establish new trading partnerships and opportunities.
• Keeps abreast of current industry market trends and developments and updates management of any relevant changes.
• Represents PSE in regional and national organizations and forums.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree with a technical or commercial focus from an accredited 4-year college or university, or equivalent experience.
• Two years (2) experience in energy trading, derivatives, marketing or bulk power and gas system management.
• Proven record of accomplishment in power and/or natural gas trading including experience with natural gas storage optimization, physical/financial gas trading fundamentals, physical/financial power trading dynamics including power generation characteristics of hydro, coal, wind and gas fired generation.
• Knowledge of financial and accounting principles
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Desired Qualifications

• Specific experience in west-coast energy markets.
• Self-starter with the ability to work effectively in a fast paced, multi-tasking, team environment.
• Advanced spreadsheet and database computer skills.
• Strong problem solving, analytical and conflict resolution skills.

Additional Information